US8112866B2 - Method for resisting pivoting movement between an outer member and an inner member of a universal joint - Google Patents

Method for resisting pivoting movement between an outer member and an inner member of a universal joint Download PDF

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Publication number
US8112866B2
US8112866B2 US12/258,039 US25803908A US8112866B2 US 8112866 B2 US8112866 B2 US 8112866B2 US 25803908 A US25803908 A US 25803908A US 8112866 B2 US8112866 B2 US 8112866B2
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United States
Prior art keywords
joint member
root
roots
boot
sleeve portion
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US12/258,039
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US20090048029A1 (en
Inventor
Federico Villalobos
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GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Steering Solutions IP Holding Corp
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Nexteer Beijing Technology Co Ltd
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Assigned to DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. reassignment DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: VILLALOBOS, FEDERICO
Priority to US12/258,039 priority Critical patent/US8112866B2/en
Publication of US20090048029A1 publication Critical patent/US20090048029A1/en
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. reassignment GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
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Assigned to UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY reassignment UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. reassignment GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. reassignment GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. reassignment GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., PACIFIC CENTURY MOTORS, INC. reassignment GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/84—Shrouds, e.g. casings, covers; Sealing means specially adapted therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/84—Shrouds, e.g. casings, covers; Sealing means specially adapted therefor
    • F16D3/843—Shrouds, e.g. casings, covers; Sealing means specially adapted therefor enclosed covers
    • F16D3/845—Shrouds, e.g. casings, covers; Sealing means specially adapted therefor enclosed covers allowing relative movement of joint parts due to the flexing of the cover
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
    • F16J15/00—Sealings
    • F16J15/50—Sealings between relatively-movable members, by means of a sealing without relatively-moving surfaces, e.g. fluid-tight sealings for transmitting motion through a wall
    • F16J15/52—Sealings between relatively-movable members, by means of a sealing without relatively-moving surfaces, e.g. fluid-tight sealings for transmitting motion through a wall by means of sealing bellows or diaphragms
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
    • F16J3/00—Diaphragms; Bellows; Bellows pistons
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/16—Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts
    • F16D3/20—Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts one coupling part entering a sleeve of the other coupling part and connected thereto by sliding or rolling members
    • F16D3/22—Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts one coupling part entering a sleeve of the other coupling part and connected thereto by sliding or rolling members the rolling members being balls, rollers, or the like, guided in grooves or sockets in both coupling parts
    • F16D3/223—Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts one coupling part entering a sleeve of the other coupling part and connected thereto by sliding or rolling members the rolling members being balls, rollers, or the like, guided in grooves or sockets in both coupling parts the rolling members being guided in grooves in both coupling parts
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49636—Process for making bearing or component thereof
    • Y10T29/49643—Rotary bearing
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
    • Y10T29/4984—Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
    • Y10T29/4984—Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts
    • Y10T29/49844—Through resilient media

Definitions

  • the invention relates to universal joints and more particularly to a boot for at least partially enclosing a universal joint.
  • a universal joint facilitates the transmission of rotational movement between a driving shaft and a driven shaft.
  • the universal joint is especially useful in applications wherein the driving and driven shafts are angled with respect to one another or can become angled with respect to one another during operation.
  • the universal joint includes an inner joint member attached to one of the shafts and an outer joint member attached to the other shaft.
  • the inner and outer joint members define grooves which cooperate to form passages. Roller balls are positioned in the passages and torque is transmitted between the shafts with the roller balls.
  • a flexible boot is often employed to enclose the grooves and the balls to prevent debris from comprising the operation of the joint.
  • the invention provides a boot for a universal joint.
  • the boot includes a first sleeve portion defining a first circular opening.
  • the boot also includes a second sleeve portion spaced from the first sleeve portion along a boot axis.
  • the second sleeve portion defines a second circular opening having a smaller diameter than the first circular opening.
  • the boot also includes a plurality of convolutions defined along the boot axis between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion by a plurality of roots extending radially inward toward the boot axis and by a plurality of crests extending radially outward away from the boot axis.
  • the plurality of roots includes a first root and a second root immediately adjacent to one another. The first root is closer to the first sleeve portion than the second root. The first root extends radially toward the boot axis further than the second root.
  • FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a boot according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of a universal device including the boot shown in FIG. 1 .
  • a universal joint 38 includes an outer joint member 40 having first shaft portion 42 and a chamber portion 44 .
  • a plurality of inwardly facing grooves 46 , 48 are defined in the chamber portion 44 .
  • the universal joint 38 also includes an inner joint member 50 having a second shaft portion 52 and a groove portion 54 .
  • a plurality of outwardly facing grooves 56 , 58 are defined on an radially outer surface of the groove portion 54 .
  • the groove portion 54 is disposed in the chamber portion 44 .
  • a plurality of balls 60 , 62 are individually disposed in the plurality of inwardly facing grooves 46 , 48 and in the plurality of outwardly facing grooves 56 , 58 .
  • the balls 60 , 62 transmit rotation between the outer joint member 40 and the inner joint member 50 . Only two balls 60 , 62 are shown in the drawings; however, most universal joints include six or eight balls.
  • the inner joint member 50 and the outer joint member 40 are pivotable relative to one another during operation of the universal joint 38 .
  • the exemplary universal joint 38 is an Auktor style joint.
  • the inner joint member 50 and the outer joint member 40 are pivtoable relative to one another over a first range 64 of movement corresponding to normal operation.
  • the inner joint member 50 and the outer joint member 40 can become disengaged from one another in response pivoting movement beyond the first range 64 .
  • the inner joint member 50 and the outer joint member 40 can become disassembled with respect to one another due to over-angulation.
  • a boot 10 for the universal joint 38 can prevent debris from entering the chamber portion 44 .
  • the boot 10 includes a first sleeve portion 12 defining a first circular opening 14 .
  • the first sleeve portion 12 encircles the chamber portion 44 .
  • a clamp (not shown) can be used to substantially fix the first sleeve portion 12 to a radially outward facing surface of the chamber portion 44 .
  • the boot 10 also includes a second sleeve portion 16 spaced from the first sleeve portion 12 along a boot axis 18 .
  • the second sleeve portion 16 defines a second circular opening 20 having a smaller diameter than the first circular opening 14 .
  • the second sleeve portion 16 encircles the second shaft portion 52 at a position spaced from the groove portion 54 .
  • the boot 10 also includes a plurality of convolutions defined along the boot axis 18 between the first sleeve portion 12 and the second sleeve portion 16 .
  • Each convolution is defined by a plurality of roots 22 , 24 , 26 , 28 extending radially inward toward the boot axis 18 and by a plurality of crests 30 , 32 , 34 , 36 extending radially outward away from the boot axis 18 .
  • the boot 10 can have any number of convolutions.
  • the first sleeve portion 12 the second sleeve portion 16 , and the plurality of convolutes are integrally formed with respect one another.
  • the plurality of roots 22 , 24 , 26 , 28 includes a first root 22 and a second root 24 immediately adjacent to one another.
  • the first root 22 is closer to the first sleeve portion 12 than the second root 24 .
  • the first root 22 extends radially toward the boot axis 18 further than the second root 24 .
  • the first root 22 resists pivoting movement of the inner joint member 50 relative to the outer joint member 40 .
  • This can be advantageous during assembly and transport of the universal joint 38 .
  • the first root 22 can reduce the likelihood that the inner joint member 50 and the outer joint member 40 will become disassembled with respect to one another to over-angulation during assembly of the universal joint 38 to an operating environment such as a vehicle and/or during packaging, transport, and removal from packaging.
  • the exemplary first root 22 will not prevent the inner joint member 50 and the outer joint member 40 from pivoting with respect to one another over the first range 64 .
  • the first root 22 is immediately adjacent to the first sleeve portion 12 .
  • the first root 22 is closest to the first sleeve portion 12 of the plurality of roots 22 , 24 , 26 , 28 .
  • the first root 22 the root that limits pivoting movement, can be spaced from the first sleeve portion 12 by one or more convolutes, roots or crests.
  • the first root 22 is thicker than the second root 24 .
  • the exemplary first root 22 is thicker than all of other of the plurality of roots 22 , 24 , 26 , 28 .
  • the first root 22 the root that limits pivoting movement, can be thinner than one or more of the other roots.
  • the first root 22 extends radially further toward the boot axis 18 any of the other roots, including the third root 26 and the fourth root 28 .
  • This arrangement can be desirable to reduce the likelihood that the second shaft portion 52 will abrasively contact the roots 24 , 26 , 28 .
  • roots other than the first root 22 could extend the same distance toward the boot axis 18 .
  • the first root 22 could have the same diameter as another root.

Abstract

A method for resisting pivoting movement between an outer member and an inner member of a universal joint includes engaging the outer member with the inner member in a chamber for pivoting movement through a first range of movement with a plurality of balls disposed in a plurality of inwardly facing grooves of the outer member and a plurality of outwardly facing grooves of the inner member to transmit rotation between the outer member and the inner member. The method includes enclosing the chamber portion with a boot having a plurality of convolutions defined by roots extending radially inward and resisting pivoting movement of the inner member relative to the outer member with an inner surface of a root contacting a shaft portion of the inner member upon the inner member and the outer member pivoting beyond the first range of movement.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a divisional patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/330,762 filed on Jan. 12, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to universal joints and more particularly to a boot for at least partially enclosing a universal joint.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A universal joint facilitates the transmission of rotational movement between a driving shaft and a driven shaft. The universal joint is especially useful in applications wherein the driving and driven shafts are angled with respect to one another or can become angled with respect to one another during operation. The universal joint includes an inner joint member attached to one of the shafts and an outer joint member attached to the other shaft. The inner and outer joint members define grooves which cooperate to form passages. Roller balls are positioned in the passages and torque is transmitted between the shafts with the roller balls. A flexible boot is often employed to enclose the grooves and the balls to prevent debris from comprising the operation of the joint.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a boot for a universal joint. The boot includes a first sleeve portion defining a first circular opening. The boot also includes a second sleeve portion spaced from the first sleeve portion along a boot axis. The second sleeve portion defines a second circular opening having a smaller diameter than the first circular opening. The boot also includes a plurality of convolutions defined along the boot axis between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion by a plurality of roots extending radially inward toward the boot axis and by a plurality of crests extending radially outward away from the boot axis. The plurality of roots includes a first root and a second root immediately adjacent to one another. The first root is closer to the first sleeve portion than the second root. The first root extends radially toward the boot axis further than the second root.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a boot according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of a universal device including the boot shown in FIG. 1.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to the drawings, a universal joint 38 includes an outer joint member 40 having first shaft portion 42 and a chamber portion 44. A plurality of inwardly facing grooves 46, 48 are defined in the chamber portion 44. The universal joint 38 also includes an inner joint member 50 having a second shaft portion 52 and a groove portion 54. A plurality of outwardly facing grooves 56, 58 are defined on an radially outer surface of the groove portion 54. The groove portion 54 is disposed in the chamber portion 44. A plurality of balls 60, 62 are individually disposed in the plurality of inwardly facing grooves 46, 48 and in the plurality of outwardly facing grooves 56, 58. The balls 60, 62 transmit rotation between the outer joint member 40 and the inner joint member 50. Only two balls 60, 62 are shown in the drawings; however, most universal joints include six or eight balls.
The inner joint member 50 and the outer joint member 40 are pivotable relative to one another during operation of the universal joint 38. The exemplary universal joint 38 is an Auktor style joint. The inner joint member 50 and the outer joint member 40 are pivtoable relative to one another over a first range 64 of movement corresponding to normal operation. The inner joint member 50 and the outer joint member 40 can become disengaged from one another in response pivoting movement beyond the first range 64. In other words, the inner joint member 50 and the outer joint member 40 can become disassembled with respect to one another due to over-angulation.
A boot 10 for the universal joint 38 can prevent debris from entering the chamber portion 44. The boot 10 includes a first sleeve portion 12 defining a first circular opening 14. The first sleeve portion 12 encircles the chamber portion 44. A clamp (not shown) can be used to substantially fix the first sleeve portion 12 to a radially outward facing surface of the chamber portion 44. The boot 10 also includes a second sleeve portion 16 spaced from the first sleeve portion 12 along a boot axis 18. The second sleeve portion 16 defines a second circular opening 20 having a smaller diameter than the first circular opening 14. The second sleeve portion 16 encircles the second shaft portion 52 at a position spaced from the groove portion 54.
The boot 10 also includes a plurality of convolutions defined along the boot axis 18 between the first sleeve portion 12 and the second sleeve portion 16. Each convolution is defined by a plurality of roots 22, 24, 26, 28 extending radially inward toward the boot axis 18 and by a plurality of crests 30, 32, 34, 36 extending radially outward away from the boot axis 18. The boot 10 can have any number of convolutions. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first sleeve portion 12 the second sleeve portion 16, and the plurality of convolutes are integrally formed with respect one another.
The plurality of roots 22, 24, 26, 28 includes a first root 22 and a second root 24 immediately adjacent to one another. The first root 22 is closer to the first sleeve portion 12 than the second root 24. The first root 22 extends radially toward the boot axis 18 further than the second root 24. The first root 22 resists pivoting movement of the inner joint member 50 relative to the outer joint member 40. This can be advantageous during assembly and transport of the universal joint 38. For example, the first root 22 can reduce the likelihood that the inner joint member 50 and the outer joint member 40 will become disassembled with respect to one another to over-angulation during assembly of the universal joint 38 to an operating environment such as a vehicle and/or during packaging, transport, and removal from packaging. In operation, the exemplary first root 22 will not prevent the inner joint member 50 and the outer joint member 40 from pivoting with respect to one another over the first range 64.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first root 22 is immediately adjacent to the first sleeve portion 12. In other words, the first root 22 is closest to the first sleeve portion 12 of the plurality of roots 22, 24, 26, 28. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the first root 22, the root that limits pivoting movement, can be spaced from the first sleeve portion 12 by one or more convolutes, roots or crests. Also, in the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first root 22 is thicker than the second root 24. The exemplary first root 22 is thicker than all of other of the plurality of roots 22, 24, 26, 28. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the first root 22, the root that limits pivoting movement, can be thinner than one or more of the other roots.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first root 22 extends radially further toward the boot axis 18 any of the other roots, including the third root 26 and the fourth root 28. This arrangement can be desirable to reduce the likelihood that the second shaft portion 52 will abrasively contact the roots 24, 26, 28. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, roots other than the first root 22, the root that limits pivoting movement, could extend the same distance toward the boot axis 18. In other words, the first root 22 could have the same diameter as another root.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A method for resisting pivoting movement between an outer member and an inner member of a universal joint, said method comprising the steps of:
engaging an outer joint member having a first shaft portion and a chamber portion with a plurality of inwardly facing grooves with an inner joint member having a second shaft portion and a groove portion with a plurality of outwardly facing grooves disposed in the chamber portion for pivoting movement relative to one another through a first range of movement;
disposing a plurality of balls individually in the plurality of inwardly facing grooves and in the plurality of outwardly facing grooves to transmit rotation between the outer joint member and the inner joint member;
enclosing the chamber portion with a boot having a first sleeve portion encircling the chamber portion with a first circular opening and also having a second sleeve portion encircling the second shaft portion with a second circular opening at a position spaced from the groove portion and spaced from the first sleeve portion along a boot axis and also having a plurality of convolutions defined along the boot axis between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion by a plurality of roots extending radially inward toward the boot axis and by a plurality of crests extending radially outward away from the boot axis; and
resisting pivoting movement of the inner joint member relative to the outer joint member with a radially inward facing inner surface of a first root of the plurality of roots contacting the second shaft portion upon the inner joint member and the outer joint member pivoting beyond the first range of movement.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: thickening the first root relative to the other roots.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: disposing the first root immediately adjacent to the chamber relative to the other roots.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: extending the first root radially inward toward the boot axis further than at least two of the other roots.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pivoting movement of the inner joint member relative to the outer joint member is resisted with only the first root beyond a range of movement corresponding to normal operation.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising permitting, without resistance, the inner joint member and the outer joint member to pivot with respect to one another over the first range of movement.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising spacing the first root from the first sleeve portion by one or more convolutes.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising thinning the first root, more than one or more of the other roots.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising fixing the first sleeve portion to a radially outward facing surface of the chamber portion.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising extending the first root radially inward toward the boot axis the same distance as the other roots.
US12/258,039 2006-01-12 2008-10-24 Method for resisting pivoting movement between an outer member and an inner member of a universal joint Expired - Fee Related US8112866B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/258,039 US8112866B2 (en) 2006-01-12 2008-10-24 Method for resisting pivoting movement between an outer member and an inner member of a universal joint

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/330,762 US7468000B2 (en) 2006-01-12 2006-01-12 Boot for universal joint
US12/258,039 US8112866B2 (en) 2006-01-12 2008-10-24 Method for resisting pivoting movement between an outer member and an inner member of a universal joint

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/330,762 Division US7468000B2 (en) 2006-01-12 2006-01-12 Boot for universal joint

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20090048029A1 US20090048029A1 (en) 2009-02-19
US8112866B2 true US8112866B2 (en) 2012-02-14

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US11/330,762 Expired - Fee Related US7468000B2 (en) 2006-01-12 2006-01-12 Boot for universal joint
US12/258,039 Expired - Fee Related US8112866B2 (en) 2006-01-12 2008-10-24 Method for resisting pivoting movement between an outer member and an inner member of a universal joint

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US11/330,762 Expired - Fee Related US7468000B2 (en) 2006-01-12 2006-01-12 Boot for universal joint

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US (2) US7468000B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1808611B1 (en)
KR (1) KR20070075265A (en)
CN (1) CN101000074B (en)
AT (1) ATE504752T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602006021128D1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9283842B2 (en) 2012-11-29 2016-03-15 U-Haul International, Inc. Method and apparatus for drive shaft extension
US11209104B2 (en) 2016-03-02 2021-12-28 Carrier Corporation Fastening system for a pipe passing through a panel of an air handling unit, and air handling unit comprising such a system

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008058559A1 (en) * 2006-11-16 2008-05-22 Gkn Driveline International Gmbh Expanding bellows for sealing an annular gap
BRPI1003221A2 (en) * 2009-03-02 2012-02-07 Gm Global Tech Operations Inc constant speed joint

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US4196598A (en) 1977-07-01 1980-04-08 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus for prevention of the removal of a universal joint
US4278262A (en) 1978-08-25 1981-07-14 Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Rubber boot for use in universal joint
US4559025A (en) 1983-04-15 1985-12-17 Automobiles Citroen Universal joint with bellows seal and vent
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US11209104B2 (en) 2016-03-02 2021-12-28 Carrier Corporation Fastening system for a pipe passing through a panel of an air handling unit, and air handling unit comprising such a system

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US20070161429A1 (en) 2007-07-12
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US20090048029A1 (en) 2009-02-19
CN101000074B (en) 2012-10-10
CN101000074A (en) 2007-07-18
ATE504752T1 (en) 2011-04-15
US7468000B2 (en) 2008-12-23
EP1808611A1 (en) 2007-07-18
EP1808611B1 (en) 2011-04-06

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